Loz

pk Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > With any law there should be a reasonable degree > > of understanding whether you are contravening it > > or not. > > it's not an excuse not to know the law - i can't > say that i am not guilty of speeding because i > didn't know the speed limit and in this instance i > think that if the guy did know the law then he'd > realise that what he did was likely to infringe it That's sort of the point I was (badly) trying to make. Good law: don't exceed the posted speed limit. Bad law: don't travel at such a speed as to worry any nearby person. In the second case, knowing the law isn't likely to be of much use because it entirely depends who is nearby. Same with this other Public Order Act law.

That may work, but you would have to have your day in court to see if that works - you would still have been arrested by then, with all the issues that entails. And since this guy was arrested for 'making aircraft gestures', do you think you really have a chance? With any law there should be a reasonable degree of understanding whether you are contravening it or not.

pk Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > does that sound very wrong to you all? So very, very wrong. That law is written in such a way that pretty much everyone, every day could transgress it. Which means that the decision as to whether this law is upheld is in the subjective opinion of the police, which is a VERY bad thing. Laws should be upheld or not be on the statute book. Not upheld when someone feels like it. For instance, I just had a quick look through your posting history, looking for a possible example. It didn't take long. On Feb 10, you posted the line "and why do you keep making excuses for the racists?". Someone may have found that "insulting", whatever your intentions, and felt "alarm or distress". If they did, should you be arrested?

Michael Palaeologus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Beach Volley Ball > > Topless Darts (Ladies) Beach volley ball could score by removing the components of their bikini each time they lose a set. First team nekkid loses.

I think you should write them a letter. They can text you back.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12462959 OK, the guy was being offensive, but arrested? For this? Really? We really need a free speech law in this country. It's getting beyond stupid.

Get about 5 days *morning* lessons if you can at the resort. That gives you the afternoon to practice on your own. Honestly, you can never have too many lessons - I've got about 30 weeks snowboarding experience (and a few more skiing) and I'm still getting the odd lesson to help my technique and progress me. Bad technique is hard to shake off and will cause you problems once it starts getting bumpy or powdery. Better to get it right first time. Group lessons are not too pricy - especially if you go through your operator. E.g. Crystal will sell you six days lessons for ?136 at Mayerhofen, which isn't a bad price. But it does vary wildly. Make sure it is something you check when looking at a resort and even check online with schools directly. You don't have to go through your operator, but they usually have preferential rates As for MK or HH - just one two-hour lesson should give you a great head start.

I think that's a bit of a non-sequitur, Brendan. Having a father that looks after the kids is a very valid substitute for a mother, especially where she is the higher earner. In fact, the better involvement of fathers can only be a good thing. I was in Dulwich Park on the weekend with some friends and their kids in the playground and was pleasantly surprised that fathers outnumbered mothers there. Of course, some of these could be their weekend contact session from divorces, but I think that generally fathers are taking a more active role in bringing up kids nowadays. Which is why they are probably more keen to have them.

+1 on what DJKQ said. Doing a lesson or two up at MK or Hemel Hemstead would mean that, if your ski school groups splits (for beginners they often chuck three or four classes together for the first day or so and then stream them on abilities) then you don't end up in the section with the total no-hopers. They'll get you past the initial snow-plough bit and maybe into snow-plough turns. And don't rule out snowboarding, either. The learning curve is higher for the first couple of days, but after that it gets much easier - I've taken people off-piste after three/four weeks, something you'd probably never achieve on skis. I would recommend knee pads for your early snowboard forays. Bum protection is useful, but the hotel towels have been used by friends for this! Oh, and a helmet - but you should really get a helmet for skiing as well.

Leaving the key in the lock is almost as good as leaving it unlocked. Keep a spare key on a hook inside a cupboard that would be easy to access during an emergency. PS Check your insurance policy - leaving a door not double locked may mean they don't pay out. They may also have a view on locked, but not securing the key.

Since you are a first-timer, you don't really need to look at the most expensive big resorts (Three Valleys, Tignes-Val D'Isere, etc), but can take advantage of the smaller resorts, as you'll probably only use about a dozen runs in the first week. MM is right in that Austria provides a nice balance between value and quality, as does Italy. France and Switzerland is expensive. Maybe look at Obertauen or Schladming in Austria or, if you like a bit more nightlife, maybe Sauze d'Oulx in Italy. Stick with the bigger players - Crystal Ski or Thomson Ski (same company now), Inghams, Neilson or Skiworld. All can do travel/accommodation/lift-pass/ski hire/ski-school deals. I assume you can cadge some clothing from a friend? The Ski Club site gives a comprehensive guide to all resorts plus snow levels. Happy skiing... or, or course, snowboarding!

Strange - it's usually lawyers following fire engines around, rather than the other way...

latch

MM - the other half is just finishing an MBA. How did you go about making the leap and using it - i.e. how did you get the first job?

I think this is what you are looking for Katie... http://images.sodahead.com/images/profiles/0/0/1/6/6/6/4/3/9/profiles_card-1265010983.jpeg

Mick Mac Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Loz Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I went to buy a card for the other half today, > but > > walked out empty handed on account I couldn't > find > > anything that did not make me want to instantly > > vomit. > > > But you are not buying yourself the card Loz. Are > you ? No but a) it is from me and should therefore reflect me, and b) the missus is of similar views on over-the-top sentimental tat. Really, some of the cards would make Barbara Cartland retch.

I went to buy a card for the other half today, but walked out empty handed on account I couldn't find anything that did not make me want to instantly vomit.

fyvum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > no substitute for a young stiff beau with a > penchant for throwing his woman to the ground and > having his wicked way for a good thirty or forty > seconds because you deserve it! > > I can't think of anything more repulsive (Said the > queen) > > Queeny these answers of yours, says it all! You're new around here, aren't you?

The Minkey Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My brother once collected a heap of snowy white > pebbles off the beach to write 'I love you' on the > strip of grass outside his girlfriend's bedroom > window. That's a proper Valentine :-) Just as well they didn't decide to go skiing that year.

By 'eck you are fickle, legalbeagle.

There's generally two types of blokes: the ones that, for them, writing this letter would be an emotional mountain and would leave them in an entirely vulnerable space. The other type is the one that realises that "chicks dig this emotional stuff". I think we can safely assume he is one of the latter.

The did some pretty serious damage over 13 years. Lots of damage. As an example, back in 2001 some British plane-spotters were arrested in Greece. The British media were, rightly, appalled and said it was stupid. By 2010, both UK citizens and tourists were being detained in the UK for taking photos of buildings. Then, of course, there were councils being allowed to snoop on people, innocent people's DNA being retained, the attempt to bring in the ID database, over 20% of the world's CCTV cameras installed in here the UK, the 'rumours and innuendo' database used for vetting staff and volunteers. The list goes on. Hey, they even threw an old man out of their own party conference using prevention of terror laws. So, it may not ALL be down to Labour, but they sure as hell dumped an awful lot of our freedoms.

It is an excellent start - I hope it evolves into something even better. On a couple of issues there seems to be a little fudging going on (I'd have taken RIPA away from councils altogether and S44 searches seem to have changed very little). But there is some really good stuff in there. DNA retention being a real biggie.

Top tip: Practice on the household pet. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eLrn7ehZZTI/SwL_qhtfI0I/AAAAAAAAAB4/RqXO9ddo97E/s1600/bad-haircut.jpg

kites